Supply holders



July 19, 1938.- E. R. swANsoN SUPPLY HOLDER s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 17., 1956 E. R. SWANSON SUPPLY HOLDER July 19, 1938.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Filed NOV. 17, 1936 Patented July 19, 1938 UNITED STATES SUPPLY HOLDERS ErnestR. Swanson, Oranston, R. I., assignor to Universal Winding Company, Boston, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 17, 1936, Serial No. 111,295

19 Claims. (Cl. 24235.5)

This invention relates to supply holders for supporting cops, bobbins or other forms of packages of yarn, thread and the like to deliver the material to winding machines or other textile apparatus.

In the following specification and claims the term bobbin is to be interpreted in a generic sense as applying to any preferred form of supply, and the term yarn is employed in a broad sense to designate all varieties of strand material.

One object of the invention is to provide a supply holder which will facilitate and expedite the dofiing of spent bobbins andthe placing of fresh bobbins in delivering position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a supply holder of the type indicated from which the spent or exhausted bobbins may be doifed or ejected by simply pressing a button or push-rod.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which acts to positively eject the spent or exhausted bobbin from-the supply-spindle and which operates automatically, upon release of the manualvcontrol means, to quickly return the spindle to deliver: ing position to receive a fresh bobbin.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which is adjustable with respect to the winding or like machine to insure proper delivery of the yarn thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which is of sturdy construction with its parts proof against derangement or getting out of order.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front View of a conventional type of winding machine showing the present improved supply holder as applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the supply holder shown in connection with thetension-device with which it cooperates;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the supply holder showing the bobbin chute or runway in section;

Fig. 4. is an elevational view of the supply holder looking inthe direction indicated by the arrow 4 in Fig. 2 and showing a supply-bobbin in position to deliver the yarn tothe winding machine; v

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the manner in which the empty bobbin is doffed or ejected from the supply-spindle; and

spindle 5.

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view of a portion ofv the holder taken on line 66 of Fig. 3.

In general, the present invention comprises a spindle or other means for holding a bobbin or the like in delivering position, a chute or runway 5 for guiding a full bobbin into position upon the spindle, means for manually tilting the spindle into dofling position, means operated by the tilting action of the spindle for stripping or ejecting a spent bobbin therefrom, and automatically-- 10 operated means for returningthe spindle into. position to receive a fresh bobbin. I

The invention is herein shown as applied to use on a winding machine for winding thread, yarn and other strand material, but the device is also adapted for use with other types of textile apparatus in which yarn or the like is transferred from one carrier to another in various processes of the textile art.

Referring to the drawings, the winding machine herein illustrated, by way of example, is of conventional type in which the package is rotated by peripheral contact with a drive-roll or drum. The present supply-holder is adapted for use with practically all types of Winding and like 5 machines however, and thereforethe illustrated machine will be described only briefly as relating to the operation of the improved device.

A plurality of winding units are usually mount ed upon a bed or frame 2 supported from the 3 floor by legs 3 spaced along the machine.

The bed 2 carries brackets 4 which, in turn, support bearings for the rotative elements of the winding mechanism. The winding mechanism of the individual unit herein illustrated comprises only two principal elements, namely, the windingmandrel or spindle 5 on which the yarn-receiver or cop-tube C is rotatably supported and the drive-roll l0 for rotating the yarn-receiver; and in which is embodied means for traversing the 40 yarn back and forth axially of the package being wound. This particular form of traversing means is fully shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 1,749,355, dated March 4,1930.

The drive-rolls ID for the several winding units are carried ona horizontal shaft I3 J'o-urnaled in bearings supported by the brackets 4 and continuously driven from a suitable source of power. Theimachine is herein shown as adapted for winding packages of conical form in which the yarn body or package is built up on a suitable core or receiver, a wooden or fiber cone 0 being illustrated as mounted to rotate on the winding- I The spindle liis hingedlymounted at the forked end of an arm l5 which is pivoted on a rod or stud l6 held in a bearing [1 projecting from the top of the bracket 4. The arm I5 is usually weighted to cause the surface of the yarn-receiver C or of the package, as the case may be, to be held firmly in contact with the periphery of the drive-roll l and as the yarn is built up on the receiver it forces the latter upwardly with the arm l pivoting on its stud I6.

The supply of yarn .is usually arranged below the winding mechanism and, as herein shown, a supply-bobbin B is mounted upon a rockable spi ndle 56 which forms an essential element of the improved supply-holder. a 7

Each unit of the winding machine is usually provided with a tension-device for'controlling the draft of the yarn as it feeds to thecop or package being wound, and the present drawings illustrate a disk-tension means [8 for this--purpose-. The tension-device i8 is mounted upon a horizontal rod I9 which is supported in brackets 26' secured The strand of yarn yleads through an opening or slit 28 at one'side of the bracket and draws between the two'tension' -disks 21. a From the tension-disks the'stan'd y'leads through a suitable slub-catcher, not herein shown, and thence through thegrooves in the transverse-roll 16 to ends of the brackets 35.

be fed therefrom and traversed thereby onto the cop or packagebeingwound. The opening or slit 28 will behereinafter referred to as the-delivery point of the yarn sinceit is-to this point that the strandis directed from the supply-bobbin B.

In delivering yarn 'or' other strand materials from-cops, bobbins and-'oth'ertypes of headless packagesjthe strand'is usuallydrawn off'over the end of the-package-and for winding machines the supplies are'generally arranged below the vandbetween arms or brackets 'attach'ed to the legs 3 of the machine. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

the brackets 35 are fastened to the web ofthe legs3 by means-'ofclamps 36 secured in place by boltsj3'l, and the rod 34 is held in hubs '38 at the Adjustably mounted on the rod 34 below the tension-devices I8 are brackets or supports 40.

Each bracket 40 comprises a hub surrounding the rod 34 and a boss ,42 projecting thereabove and supporting the end of a pivot-stud or rod 43 which is secured in place'therein-by a set-screw 44; see Fig; 2. The pivot-stud43 extends forwardlyanddownwardly from the boss "42 at an'angle to-the horizontal and serves to pivotallylmount a member45. r f

' The member 45 isconstructed with 'ahub' 46 .set screw 5|. The spindle 56 is preferably 'beveled at itsupper end to'jfacilitate the placing'of a supply bobbin Bin position thereon. The

upper end of theboss 48 is beveled as. indicated at 52 to adapt it to receive the tapered end of the bore of the supply-bobbin B and is provided with a recess 54 in its side for a purpose as later explained. A weighted arm 55 formed integral with the member 45 extends laterally from the hub 46 in a direction opposite to that of the extension or arm 41 to provide a counterweight which functions for a purpose as later explained.

Rising from the extension or arm 41 of the member 45 is a bifurcated stanchion 56 andex- "tending between the sides of its bifurcated portionis a pin 51. Pivoted on the pin 51 between the sidesofthe stanchion 56 is a lever or ejectorm'embe'r'60 having a pointed end 6| which is bent laterally at an angle to adapt it to enter the recess 54 in the boss 48 of the arm 41 as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6. A projection or toe 62 formed integral with the lever 66 and extending from the oppositeside of its pivot 51 functions for a purpose as later explained.

The supply-spindle 50 is swung upwardly from its operativeposition shown in Fig; 4 to-thedoffing position illustrated in Fig.5 by the operation of manually-controlled means constructed and arranged as next described. Projecting'radially.

from the hub 46 of the member 45 isan arm 64 formed with ahole at its end'for'receiving the a lower hooked end of a wire control-rod 65. The rod 65 extends 'upwardly through a-ho1e166 ina projection 61 of a collar '68 secured in place on the tension-rod l9 by a. setscrew.69. The upper end of the rod 65 may be provided witha finger:

piece or push-button 10 adapted to be pressed downwardly by the operator when. it is desired to doff the empty supply-bobbin from the spindle 56. The lower end of the control-rod 65 is held in place inconnection with/the arm 64 by means of a quadrant-shaped plate 12. projecting from the hub 13' of a stop-member H. secured to the end of the 'p'ivot-stud'43 by a set-screw 14. 'An arm 15 projectsfrom the opposite'side of the hub 13 of 'th'e meniber H and is provided with a; stop or abutment 16upon whichthe arm 41 of the member 45 normally rests. 7

During the doffing operation thesupply-spindle 501s swung rapidly to the position shown in Fig.

ing arcuate stop 86 for engaging the toe '62 of the ejector-member 60 when the latter is swung upwardly'with themovement of the 'arm 41 of the member 45.. The stop-member H is adjustable about the stud-shaft 43.t o' aline the supplyispin'dle 50 with the slit or delivery'point '28 and toposition the stop 80 toeffect proper cooperation with the-toe 62 of the ejector-member 66.

V V Adjustably mounted on the rod 19 and secured jiri place by means of a set-screw 84 isa collar an elbow-shaped rod86 which reaches forwardly land downwardly to serve as'a support fora 'trough-shaped'chute or runway 90. As "shown-in. Figs: l' and 2,'the chute-95 is provided with av laterally extending bossv'8'l having a hole foradjustably mounting it on the rod 86, a set-screw 88 serving to hold the chute'in its adjusted-position. The chute or runWay SOVprovidesmeans 85, see Fig. 2. Projecting from the co1lar'-85-is for guiding a full bobbin B into place on the supply-spindle 50 when it is desired to replenish the supply. The chute is inclined to the V81? tical at a slightly greater degree than the spindle 50 to provide that after the bobbin B has slid down the chute into position with its lower end impaled on the end of the spindle, further sliding movement of the bobbin will cause it to tilt upwardly away from the chute as shown in Fig. 3. The, improved supply holder having now been described in detail its method of operation will next be explained.

Assuming that a full bobbin B is in place on the spindle 5!! of the supply holder as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the strand y is drawn upwardly through the slit 28 in the bracket 25, threaded between the tension-disks 21, laid across the traverse-roll I I] and its end attached to the cop-tube C. The spindle-arm I5 is then lowered to place the periphery of the cop-tube C in contact with the rotating drive-roll Ill. The roll [0 rotates the cop-tube to wind the yarn thereon as the grooves in the roll traverse the strand back and forth to deposit it in helical coils which build up in layers to form the package. As the winding proceeds and the yarn is taken off from the bobbin B, eventually the end will run out and the operation of the machine is automatically arrested through the action of a suitable stopmotion, not herein shown.

The supply-spindle 50 is normally maintained in substantially vertical position, as viewed in Fig. 1, under its own weight and that of the bobbin B and the arm 41 with the arm resting against the stop 16. Owing to the inclination of the stud 43 the spindle 50 is inclined slightly with respect to a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the machine, see Fig. 3, to provide that the bobbin B will be axially alined with -the delivery point 28 in the tension-device l8. It will be observed by reference to Figs.'1 and 4 that with a bobbin B in place on the spindle 50 the pointed end 5| of the ejector-member 60 is positioned in the recess 54 of the arm or extension 41 beneath the head of the bobbin.

When it is observed that the yarn on the bobbin B' is almost exhausted the operator takes his station at the front of the supply holder and immediately the winding has been arrested the push-button or finger-piece 10 is pressed downwardly. The downward sliding movement of the control-rod 65 rocks the member 45 on its pivot 63 to cause the arm 41 to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. This movement of the member 45 is aided by the counterweight 55 so that only a slight pressure is required on the push-button 10 to perform the operation. As the arm 41 and spindle 50 are swung upwardly the ejector-member 60 moves with them until its toe 62 strikes the stop 80. Further upward movement of the arm 41 causes the ejector-member 60 to be rocked upwardly about its pivot 51 with a quick action. The

movement of the ejector-member 60 is more rapid than that of the spindle 50 and its toe 6| ejects the empty bobbin 1) from the spindle 50 and propels it to one side of the supply holder or in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. The swinging movement of the several parts is limited by the engagement of the push-button it against the projection 61 of the collar 68. A box or like receptacle may be provided to receive the ejected bobbins b or in other cases they may droponto a'traveling conveyorwhich removes them from the machine. 1

It is to be particularly noted that although the ejection of the bobbin is above explained as being caused by the action of the ejector-member 60, the use of this element is .not essential. That is to say, if the spindle 50 is swung upwardly rapidly, as provided for by the relatively short leverage of the arm 64 to which the push-rod 65 is connected, the force of momentum will propel the bobbin 01f from the end of the spindle. On the other hand, the ejector-member 60 is provided as a precautionary measure to insure a positive ejection of the bobbin should the operator press the push-rod 65 down too slowly.

Immediately the empty bobbin 1) has been doffed'in the manner as above-explained the operator releases the push-button 10 and the weight of the arm 4! and the parts carried thereby returns the member 45 to first position as illustrated in Fig. 4, with the arm 41 resting upon the stop 16. During the return of the member 45 the counterweight 55 acts to control its movement to prevent rebound as the arm 41 strikes the stop 16. With the arm 41 at rest the supply-spindle 50 will again be alined with the delivery point 23 of the tension-device l8 to insure proper delivery of the yarn thereto. It will be understood that during the return movement of the parts in the manner above explained the ejector-member 60 swings downwardly about its pivot 51 under the action of gravity to position its pointed end 6| in the recess 54.

After the supply-spindle 50 has been returned to first position the operator places a fresh bobbin B in the chute 9|] and releases it to permit it to slide downwardly under the action of gravity while he holds the end of the yarn. As the bobbin B slides downwardly in the chute in the manner indicated by the dash lines in Fig. 3 the beveled end of the spindle 50 enters its bore to impale it thereon. Due to the angular relationship of the chute 90 to the spindle 5|] the bobbin B is canted upwardly away from the chute as it slides onto the spindle in the manner indicated by full lines in Fig. 3 to aline its axis with the delivery point 28 in the tension-device I8. The fresh bobbin Bis then in position to supply yarn to the winding unit and the end of its strand is led upwardly through the tension-device I8 and spliced to the trailing end on the package being wound.

gIt will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a particularly simple yet eificient device for the purpose. specified. The improved supply holder is practically entirely automatic in operation, the operatorhaving only to press the button to efiect the doffing of the empty bobbin and to then place a fresh bobbin in the chute to cause it to be impaled on the spindle in delivery position.

The bobbin-chute is placed in inclined position to enable the operator to quickly and,con veniently drop the bobbin thereinto. The holder is placed in close relationship with the tensiondevice and iii-elevated position to provide that the end of the strand may be readily threaded through the tension-device without requiring stooping or reaching on the part of the operator.

The invention thus provides for a substantialfle'cted'in aconsiderable inc'rease'in the: pro-.:

ductive capacity of the machine; V 'While the improved device .isiherein shown. and described as embodied in-a preferred form of con structionran'd as" applied toia'windingprocess,

various modificationsmay be made in the form and arrangement ;of its partszand .in its method of application to; other 7 processes without departing from the spirit-or scope of the invention.

(Therefore, withoutlimiting myself in this respect,

Iclaim: I A. H

1. In a device offlthe type'indicated, a "rockable support, means for mounting 'a bobbin on the about which the latterrocks with its axis tangent to anarc concentric with the pivotal axis of said support; means for rocking the support to propel a spent, bobbin axially therefrom, said bobbin beingjejected by the force of momentum thereon,

and meansfor returning the support into position to receive a fresh bobbin.

3; In a device of the type indicated, a pivotally mounted, support, a spindle forbobbins so positioned on the, supportas to .be moved axially gthrough an arc bythe; rocking movement of the support, means forrocking the support to move the spindle axially, said axial movement of the spindle causing a spent bobbinto be ejectedby the force of momentum, andmeans, for'returning,

the support into, position to receive afresh bob- F1. In a device of the typeindicated, a pivotally mounted support, means for normally holding the support in substantially horizontal position, a substantially vertical bobbin-supporting I spindle on the support positioned laterally of and remotely from its pivotal axis, and means for rocking the support to move the spindle and bobbin axially through an are, said bobbin being automatically ejected by the force of momentum, andjsair l firstmentioned means including means for j, returning the support into position to receive a fresh bobbin.

7 5. In a; device of theetype indicated, the com-' bination of a pivoted arm,; a spindle for bobbins on said arm positioned at one side of its pivotal axis and extending at right-angles-thereto, said arm and spindle lyingin a plane extendingatv right-angles to the pivotal axis of the'arm, means for rocking said arm toeausej the spindle and a spent bobbin to be movedaxially through anarc, the force of momentum onthe spent bobbin caus; ing it to be automatically ejected from, the spindle,and means for returning-the spindle into position tojreceive a fresh'bobbin. 7

6. In a device'of the type indicated, the combination of a' pivoted arm, a spindle on said arm located at one side'of its pivotal axisand so p'osi'tioned as tomove axially as the 'arm isrocked and adapted to hold bobbins, manually operative meansfor rocking said" arm on its pivotto swing the spindle aXiaIIy thrOugh an arc to eject aspent bobbin'therejfroni by the force' of momentum, and gravity-responsive'- means for-returning the; arm to position the spindletoreceive afresh bobbin.

7.1111 a'devicefof the-type indicated;'a pivoted support, meansifor mounting a bobbin fon the support remotely from the axis about which the latter rocks with its axis tangent, to an are concentriowith thepivotal axis ofsaid support, and anianually'eop'erative push-rod. connected to the support to 'rockthe latter about its pivot, a spent bobbin on the, support being moved'axially as the support is rocked to automatically eject the bobbinby the force of momentum acting thereon.

-8. In-a, device of the, type indicated, the combination of a counterbalanced pivoted arm susbobbins, and manually-operative means for rocking'said arm on its pivot to swing the spindle axially, through an arc to eject a spent bobbin by theforce of momentum, said arm being automatically returned by gravity to position the spindle'to receive afresh bobbin.

9. In a device of the type indicated, the combination of a spindle for holding bob-bins, means for mounting the spindleto adapt it to move axially through an are, an ejector movable relatively of the spindle, means for moving said spindle through an arcand actuating the ejector to ejectaspent bobbin therefrom, and means for returning the spindle into position to receive a fresh bobbin,; H

V 10. In a device of the type indicated, the combination, of a spindle for holding bobbins, means for mounting the spindle to adapt it to tilt axially throughan are, an ejector normally positioned below the bobbin and movable longitudinally of the spindledmeansfor simultaneously tilting the spindle andactuating the ejector to eject a spent bobbin; and means for returning the spindle into position to receive a fresh bobbin.

11. In a device of the type indicated, thecombination of a spindle .for holding bobbins, an ejectornormally positionedb elow the bobbin and movable longitudinally. of the spindle, means for tilting the spindle tomove'a spent bobbin axially V throughan are, said spent bobbin being automatically ejected by the force 'of .momentum,

means for actuating the ejector during the tiltingj, of the spindle to 'augmentrthe force of momentum, inejecting the bobbin, and means forreturning the spindle into position to receive a fresh bobbin.

" 12 I njajdevice of the type indicated, the combination; of a tiltable spindle for holding bobbins, a pivoted lever having one end normally positioned adjacent the spindle and below the bobbin and movable longitudinally of 'the' spindle asthe i5.

lever is rocked, means for tiltingthe spindle and rocking the lever to eject a spent bobbin, and

means for returning said spindle into position to receive a fresh "bobbin.

13. In a device of the type indicated, the com bination of 'apivoted arm, a spindle'on said arm for holding bobbins,'an ejector carriedby said arm and movable relatively of the spindle, means for rocking'the arm on its pivot and actuating the ejector to eject a spent bobbin, and means for returningthej'arm, to position the spindle to receive a fresh bobbin. g

1 4 Ina device of the type indicated, 'the-coinbination of a pivoted arm, a spindle on said arm positioned. remotely from the pivotal axis thereof and, ex hdi ng at" right-angles thereto, said spi dle being adapted to hold bobbins, an ejector onthearm' movable longitudinally of the spindle,

means for rockingthe arm to movethespihdle.

axiallythrough" an are, means for "actuatingth'e ejector during the rocking movement of the arm to eject a spent bobbin, and means for returning the arm to position the spindle to receive a fresh bobbin.

15. In a device of the type indicated, the combination of a pivoted arm, a spindle on said arm extending at right-angles thereto, said spindle being adapted to hold bobbins, a lever pivotally mounted on said arm with its forward end normally positioned adjacent the spindle below the bobbin and its opposite end extending rearwardly of its pivot, means for rocking said arm to move the spindle axially through an arc, and means for engaging the rearward end of the lever as the arm is rocked to cause its forward end to move longitudinally of the spindle to eject a spent bobbin therefrom.

16. In a device of the type indicated, a counterbalanced pivoted arm suspended below its pivot, a stop-member adjacent the arm for normally holding the latter in horizontal position, a vertical spindle on said arm positioned remotely from its pivotal axis, said spindle being adapted to support bobbins, a lever pivotally mounted on said arm intermediate its ends, one end of said lever being positioned adjacent the spindle and below the bobbin, an abutment on the stop-member overlying the opposite end of said lever, and manually-operated means for rocking the arm about its pivot to move the spindle axially through an arc, said abutment on the stop-member engaging one end of the lever as the arm is rocked on its pivot to move the opposite end of the lever longitudinally of the spindle to eject a spent bobbin therefrom, said arm being automatically returned by gravity to position the spindle to receive a fresh bobbin.

17. In a device of the type indicated, the combination of a pivoted support, a spindle on said support postioned remote from its pivotal axis with the axis of the spindle tangent to an arc concentric with the pivotal axis of said support, means for rocking the support to move the spindle axially through an arc to eject a spent bobbin therefrom, means for returning the arm to position its spindle to receive a fresh bobbin, and a chute for delivering a fresh bobbin onto the spindle.

18. In a device of the type indicated, a pivoted arm normally held in a horizontal position, a vertical spindle on said arm positioned remotely from and at one side of the pivotal axis of the latter, said spindle being adapted to support bobbins, manually-operated means for rocking the arm to move the spindle axially through an arc to eject a spent bobbin therefrom by the force of momentum, gravity-operated means for returning the arm to position the spindle to receive spindle for guiding the bobbin to aline the bore at its end with the end of the spindle, said bobbin being automatically rocked by its engagement with the spindle from an angular to an axial position with respect to the spindle and away from the chute.

ERNEST R. SWANSON. 

